Mark and Ann Hayes recently received a technology loan from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program for the setup of a website for their new sports practice arena, The Shed, at 2576 Ebersole Ave. SE in Buffalo. There is a great need in the surrounding school districts and various sporting leagues to have green space for practices and for batting cages for softball and baseball practices. The Hayes plan to open The Shed in early November.

Mark has been employed at the Delano Post Office for more than 16 years and Ann is the office manager for Five Technology in Delano. They have both been very active in softball activities for their daughters in school and in leagues. Ann was a board member for Delano Youth Baseball/Softball Association and they have experienced first-hand how important sports activities are to kids and their parents. The lack of practice time and sports clinics due to the absence of available spaces is a need in the Delano/Buffalo area. The Hayes hope to fill that void by providing this service to the community.

Business hours for The Shed will be 3:30 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call the Hayes at (763) 898-9184 to inquire about services or scheduling practices. Visit www.shedsports.com for information, photos, schedules, and directions for booking an event.

“We are pleased to be able to assist Mark and Ann with the technology financing needed to market their business,” said SWIF Program Office, Jackie Turner-Lovsness.

Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception as a way to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities by providing market-rate loans.

Microloan clients receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff—all who have personal business experience—to improve their business management skills, from business planning to reading financials to marketing and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.

This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at (800) 594-9480, (320) 587-4848 or loans@swifoundation.org.